Atomistic Simulations of Dopamine Diffusion Dynamics on a Pristine Graphene Surface

Carbon microelectrodes enable in vivo detection of neurotransmitters, and new electrodes aim to optimize the carbon surface. However, atomistic detail on the diffusion and orientation of neurotransmitters near these surfaces is lacking. Here, we employ molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the surface diffusion of dopamine (DA), its oxidation product dopamine-o-quinone (DOQ), and their protonated forms on the pristine basal plane of flat graphene. We find that all DA species rapidly adsorb to the surface and remain adsorbed, even without a holding potential or graphene surface defects. We also find that the diffusivities of the adsorbed and the fully solvated DA are similar and that the protonated species diffuse more slowly on the surface than their corresponding neutral forms, while the oxidized species diffuse more rapidly. Structurally, we find that the underlying graphene lattice has little influence over the molecular adsorbate's lateral position, and the vertical placement of the amine group on dopamine is highly dependent upon its charge. Finally, we find that solvation has a large effect on surface diffusivities. These first results from molecular dynamics simulations of dopamine at the aqueous-graphene interface show that dopamine diffuses rapidly on the surface, even without an applied potential, and provide a basis for future simulations of neurotransmitter structure and dynamics on advanced carbon materials electrodes.